Hundreds to join giant project to beat Alzheimer’s
A PROJECT dubbed the world’s largest in-depth study of Alzheimer’s disease will recruit hundreds of Britons to investigate how the condition can be spotted earlier.
Scientists will collect data from 250 volunteers over the age of 60, who have physiological changes associated with dementia but no symptoms.
They will be assessed over 12 months, undergoing tests including brain scans, eye examinations and memory checks.
It is hoped the study will identify new biomarkers that can predict dementia risk earlier.
DrVanessa Raymont of Oxford University will lead the study for Dementias Platform UK (DPUK).
Crisis
She said a pilot study found the public were keen to contribute to dementia research and to take part in frequent, somewhat intrusive assessments to help out.
She said: “Without people being willing to do this we would not have been able to move on to launching the full study, which we hope will reveal observable characteristics which may contribute to people developing Alzheimer’s disease.
“Once the study is complete, this data will be part of the DPUK data portal and be accessible to researchers worldwide.
“This will allow new analysis and opportunities for drug trials to help find a cure.”
DPUK is funded by Medical Research Council helps scientists share data.
Programme leader Prof the and
John Gallacher, of Oxford University, said: “Dementia affects over 50 million people worldwide and is the biggest public health crisis facing us in the 21st century.
“I am incredibly optimistic we have the right ingredients in place to make even greater strides in tackling this terrible disease that affects so many.”
Alzheimer’s Research UK said the study would improve clinical information for researchers.
The charity’s director of research, Dr Carol Routledge, said: “Scientists are working to understand the early brain changes in diseases like Alzheimer’s, which will allow us to identify people at risk of developing dementia decades earlier than we do today.
“That is critical to developing effective treatments, but it is also key to designing targeted prevention strategies.
“While age and genetics play a causative role in the development of dementia, diseases like Alzheimer’s aren’t an inevitable part of getting older.
“There are things we can do to reduce our risk of dementia, with the evidence suggesting what’s good for your heart is also good for your brain.” Lord Janner was the subject of claims A PROBE into institutional failings around sex abuse claims against the late Lord Janner could be delayed, it emerged yesterday.
The Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) is due to hear evidence relating to allegations against the former MP, who died in 2015.
But now it has been disclosed that possible criminal proceedings against “a single individual” connected to historic police inquiries may hold it up.
A file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service for it to consider whether to launch criminal proceedings against the un-named individual, a preliminary inquiry was told.
The file was handed to the CPS by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) earlier this month.
Counsel to the inquiry Brian Altman QC said: “The IOPC has concluded its investigation into allegations of police